What is Wrong with Christianity?

If you haven't already done so - please read the image above. The top part is something someone had posted on Google+. The bottom shows one of the comments written today in response.

A supposed Christian promoting the bullying and suicide of homosexuals - and using God to justify this decision.

Apparently, it's okay to punch a homosexual. Apparently it's okay to call him names. Apparently we should celebrate him being a "pansie" and killing himself.

This is Christian behavior??? This is what we're teaching others? This is the message we're spreading?

I have many friends whom are atheists. And one of the most common reasons they give me for not believing in/following God is not scientific in nature, but is love vs. hate. Religion - including (and perhaps specifically) Christianity - teaches us to hate, and they don't believe in that. They want the freedom to love everyone... to accept everyone... to help everyone. Ironically, they want the freedom to be what Christ wants us to be (although, they don't exactly word it that way).

If we want to bring people to Christ, we need to follow Christ ourselves. We need to mimic Christ's actions. He did not hate. He did not tell us to punch those whom we disagree with. He did not teach us to cause the suicide of someone different.

We don't have to agree with another person's choice of lifestyle - but it is not our responsibility or right to judge that person; and we are specifically told it is not our right to hate that person and wish harm upon them.

There's a Time to Be "Cowardly"

Those who know me, know that I can be very opinionated. Sometimes I'm right in my opinions, sometimes I'm not. But regardless of how opinionated I may be, one thing I am not is prejudice - at least, not in general.

I believe men and women were created equal. I also believe there is an equal number of men and women who were created stupid, opinionated jerks who need to be smacked a few times.

I believe all races were created equal. I also believe there is an equal number of all races who were created moronic, loud-mouthed twits who need a good kick in the pants.

In the same way, I am not against any one religion. Even though I am  Christian, I do believe in loving people of all religions (and non-religions), and that there are very wonderful people within each of these. However, I also believe that scattered within each, there is an equal number of over-bearing, idiotic nit-wits who just need to have their mouths duct taped shut.

There's a Time to Be Silent and a Time to Express your Over-opinionated Views

Last night I posted a link to a song (Thrive by Casting Crowns... listen to it... it's great!). Yes, it is a Christian song. It's an uplifting, beautiful, Christian song put out there by a talented Christian band. There were many +1's. A random comment, but for the most part just a lot of +1's. I liked that. I'm sure there was many more people who listened and didn't like, or just skipped over it all together. That's fine too.

But then someone had to make a rather rude comment regarding the stupidity of Christianity. Ok, atheists and other religions have their views. I get that. And, that's ok. But a) there is no need to be rude about it. If you have an opinion, express it respectfully; and b) on a song that has nothing to do with what you're opinion is just is not the right place to be heard.

So, I removed these comments (note: I also removed the Christian comments that were not-so-respectfully thrown back at this person). This person called me cowardly for deleting her comments. I found that a bit funny.

To Be (a Coward) or Not to Be (a Coward)

In my opinion, the coward would be the person who has to rudely put down people for listening to a song. The coward would be the person who posts comments like this on a song rather than on an actual discussion regarding Christianity. A coward would be the person so afraid of Christianity, she has to berate everyone and everything she finds that has to do with the subject.

The only "Cowardly" thing I did was stop a petty fight from happening on a Google+ shared post of a Christian song by simply removing the uncalled for remarks. Sometimes, this "cowardly" behavior is necessary.

I honestly don't mind a respectful debate regarding Christianity, God, a lack of God, etc. I don't even mind someone telling me I'm moronic for believing in God. I'm proud to moronically follow my Lord and Savior. But if you want me to not be a "coward" and actually discuss these things, then you must first stop being a coward and must learn to be respectful and pick a relevant time and place for such a thing.

So, if you really must bash Christianity... 

This isn't an uplifting song. It is indeed a post regarding making comments regarding Christianity, atheism, or whatever other religion you are. So if you really must open your mouth to make rude, nasty, insulting comments to Christians... please feel free to do so on this post. :)

God bless!

To Believe or Not to Believe

I remember sitting around on Facebook, wasting time reading posts, and getting irate at all the images and posts regarding Christianity. I believed in God. But I didn't want it shoved down my throat every five minutes. Yeah, I get it, God exists. Pray and ye shall be saved. Message received. Now shut up!

The truth was, yes, I might have believed. But I didn't have a relationship with God. I didn't truly understand what it meant to say that I believe. I still don't fully understand any of this. But now, I am trying. And, I am seeing the flip side.

Now, as I sit around on Facebook, wasting time reading posts, I find myself getting irate at all the images and posts against Christianity. Were these around before when I was getting tired of the religious posts? It seems every five minutes one of my friends posts a picture or comment about how there is no God. Or if there is a God, he's just some creep playing a game and we're the chess pieces.

It seems the more I try to learn about Christianity, the more I am faced with adversity on the topic. And, the more I realize just how many of my friends are non-believers. Just how many of my friends are as I used to be.

I would never try to push my views on them (I don't think... although, I may let a comment or two slip through...). But, I don't want others pushing their views on me, either. And I don't want those views pushed on my children. Yes, I do want my children to have a well-rounded knowledge on both sides - and when they are older, they can then make the decision to believe or not. Ah, but wait... I claim I want them to have a well-rounded knowledge on both sides. But, this is easier to say than it is to practice.

I have my children attend Sunday School and confirmation classes. I have them attend church. This, I always have done to a degree (we were pretty lax with the Sunday School and church... but my older kids have been confirmed). But now, I am trying to open the household up to God a little more. My son says "I love you, and God loves you" on a daily basis. I tell the children to pray when things are going tough. I offer to contact a pastor when I know I can't provide the spiritual comfort someone is in need of. One of my daughters and I discuss teaching Sunday School and attending Bible Study. We discuss God and the Bible in our home. But with this increase of God, comes an increase of anti-God. And, if we go with my earlier statement of wanting the children to grow up with all views, than this should be acceptable. Is it? Is it acceptable to teach a child that God exists and God is love and God will be there.... and to also teach a child that God does not exist, or if he does, he is not love and will not be there?

I also must take a look at my friends, and their influence on me and my beliefs...

I have several somewhat friends who do not believe in God. Or, they may believe in a higher power, but not in the Christian God. In general, I do not see a problem with this. We can have some fairly intellectual conversations and debates regarding the topics. But, what about those close to us? Our very close friends and family and spouses? What do we do when someone we love and trust and deal with daily doesn't believe? Why should it bother us if someone doesn't believe?

I stumbled upon another blog just a bit ago, and on there the author has a relatively good post regarding when your spouse doesn't believe. In my opinion, this can be applied to anyone close to you - but spouse is a good discussion choice simply because we usually think we're marrying someone with the same beliefs as us, as this is what makes marriage easier (sometimes). Anyway... if you care to read this article... "When your spouse doesn't believe in God".

I won't repeat everything said in that article (read it if you want to hear his views), but there was one point in there I will add here. In discussing this topic with a friend of mine, I was told to pray (it's a common response to any religious issue... pray for the answer). But this article takes that concept of prayer just a step further. He says not to pray that God changes your spouse (or friend, or brother, or parent, or child, or whatever) ... but rather, you should ask God to change you.

Change the way you look at the situation. Change the feelings of resentment and anger you may have towards the non-believer. Give you the strength to continue in your journey without worry over the other person's journey. As the author of the post says... "we are responsible to people but we are not responsible for people."

Basically, the point I"m trying to make, is that I don't know the right answer. I don't know if you should only surround yourself with believers. I don't know how children should be raised when they are in a house with parents who believe different things. I stumble with all of this just as much as the next person. So, all I can do, and all I can suggest, is to pray. Pray that God guides you in your own beliefs, and helps you to accept those who do not believe, and shows you the answer to how to deal with loved ones who believe differently than yourself.